Are YOU Spending Wisely, or Emotionally?
In the article, “The Cost of Whistles”, I shared with you a story about how Benjamin Franklin once bought an overpriced whistle from a peddler at a fair, and regretted it all his life. What Franklin was trying to teach us with this story was that purchases based on emotion – desire & want – are almost always bad purchases. Whenever you emotionally pass the point where you can no longer “walk away” from ...Credit Scoring In Plain English
Most people understand that there are 3 major credit bureaus who keep track of all your credit transactions, and that they give you a rating – known as a “credit score”. But very few people understand how this “score” is actually determined. It is a complicated mathematical scientific formula locked away in a secret vault somewhere, but you don’t want “complicated”, “mathematical”, or “scientific” mumbo jumbo to stuff in your head, so ...How Many Credit Accounts Should I Have?
Many people ask me, “How many credit account should I have?” I could give you a “Well, it depends...” kind of answer, but you are reading this looking for real answers and advice, so I’m going to boldly give you an answer. I don’t know of any scientific study that suggests that my answer is the correct one. All I can tell you is, I’ve dealt with literally thousands of credit reports over the ...Credit Repair Dispute Letters – Do Not Send Them Off Blindly!
Research demonstrates that three quarters of all credit reports contain inaccurate information, which can negatively impact your credit score. An effective way to repair your credit is by writing credit repair letters disputing incorrect information. By law, the credit agencies and creditors must provide the evidence to prove that the information on your credit report is correct; therefore, the burden of proof is on their shoulders, and this is great news for ...Using Credit Repair Services and Avoiding Scammers
While credit repair can be easily done yourself by disputing erroneous entries on your credit report, it still can be a confusing and time consuming task. Most of the time, credit repair can be done effectively yourself. However, there are definitive benefits associated with a reputable credit repair service, who ensures that your credit is fixed correctly and comprehensively. If you are thinking of paying a credit repair agency to improve your credit ...Latest Articles
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
I often find myself in long conversations with my borrowers over the best way to pay off mortgages early. Do I recommend the “Bi-Weekly Payment” ...
Making Sense of the new Tax Credit Extension
Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension
Okay, I think I get it now and I’m ready to give you the scoop on the new tax credit extension. ...
Variable Rate vs. Fixed Rate
Choosing a Variable Rate is like Ordering a Pizza
“Should I pick an adjustable rate mortgage, like a 3/1 or 5/1 ARM, or go with ...
Washington Women Veterans Summit 2009
"Top 10 Ways to Get Out of Debt and Build Wealth" is the title of my workshop at the Women Veterans Summit this year. I’m ...
Know your Statutes of Limitations
“Can you just make a small payment as a show of good faith?” Have you been called by a collection agency trying to collect on ...